I just built a new system for mysel

[garebo]

I just built a new system for myself, pretty much all standard products. Standby used to work fine, then one day it stopped working. It works initally, but when i come back to my computer a bit later the monitor is on. Can anyone tell me what i might have done to cause standy to stop working?
I did change some of the power settings in display properties, but i believe i changed them back to where they were originally.

Also, can someone point me in the right direction to turn on the win xp pro firewall?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Erik160]

The change you made to the settings is most likely what messed with your standby, most of the time if you tap the power button it will release it out of standby, when all else fail, try the 3 finger salute (Ctrl-Alt-Delete).
About the XP firewall, it is called ICF and it can be found by going to the Start->Settings->Network Connections->Choose your connection->Properties->Advanced. You should find it there. Hope that helps

Erik

"There are no stupid questions, But there are A LOT of inquisitive idiots."

 

[linney]

This site has a good description and explanation of XP's Firewall.

http://www.gamespyarcade.com/helpers/workshop/xpfirewall

As to your Standby problem, have you got the latest Bios updates and are you fully updated with all the Windows updates?

Check your settings under Power to see what events can bring your machine out of Standby.

It doesn't take much vibration or movement involving the mouse to bring it out either. Watch out for animals jumping on your mouse or keyboard.

 

[micker377]

I don't turn my system off, just go to "sleep" every night. About once a week or two, standby won't work right (may have to go to standby multiple times to work. I finally learned that when this happens, do a complete shut-down and turn back on. This "cures" standby for up to a month. Win XP isn't perfect yet.

 

[garebo]

ok, i guess i should make it a bit clearer, i dont have any trouble turning the computer back on, or "undoing" the standby, i have problems getting the standby to continue working. I can put the computer in standby but it comes back on by itself. Its not the dog or cat doing it.

I prolly dont have the latest bios installed, not sure on that, but standby was working, it only recently stopped working, so i dont think its that i need a bios update as it originally worked, as late as last week, only recently is it turning itself back on. I have norton av set to check for updates once a week only, windows updates is turned off, i dont know if windows messenger would affect standby, but i dont even know how to turn messenger on and off.
For windows updates I have sp1 installed, and, like i said above, i have automatic windows updates turned off. I prefer to get the downloads then install them later, so far i have only installed SP1.

 

[bcastner]

Many computers offer "Wake on" capabilities. You need to check your Network adapter properties sheet to make sure you have disabled any network adapter Wake on activity.

If you have a modem/fax modem check to see if there is a Wake on Ring feature and disable it.

Finally, look in the BIOS and see if there are any settings for Wake on Event or Wake on USB or Wake on Event47 settings. I had one site where a connected USB laser printer would restart the machine when the printer did a regular maintenance cycle to move the fusing roller.

 

[garebo]

Thanks bcastner
I will check my bios. I thought of that but then i figure it likely isnt my bios since it did work and just stopped.
Makes me think a newer prog could be the culprit, now that i have had more time to think about it.
Seems to me that if it worked and now it doesnt, it has to be something that has changed, thats why i was blaming it on my changing the power settings in display properties.
But again, maybe a new prog that i have installed?
Specially if that prog tries to access the net.

 

[linney]

If you think you were set up correctly last week, perhaps you have a System Restore point to slip back to?

 

[bcastner]

Perhaps. Software is usually pretty much asleep when you hibernate. But I could imagine how an IM or chat program might do this.

I would look to see if your hidden file, C:\hiberfill.sys has been removed or played with by your defragmentation program.

It does not like being moved, defragged, or played with.
You might consider rebuilding the file:

Boot into Safe Mode
Disable hibernation
Delete the hidden hiberfill.sys file
Boot into normal mode
Enable hibernation.